On Wednesday & Thursday of this week I met up with Kim, Barbara, Julia, and Vicky for two days of challenging walking over the rugged Lakeland fells.This is the 7th time we've been out together since our first easy walk around the shores of Rydal and Grasmere. How things have changed since then! We've now ticked off the Lakes 3000's, Welsh 3000's (most of), Lakes 24 peaks, Wasdale horseshoe, and Ennerdale horseshoe!!! Some massive walks there and so much fun along the way.

This time it was to be the Langdale horseshoe on day one and Helvellyn via Striding Edge on day two.

The forecast was very good, and actually turned out even better than expected, with clear skies and light winds the whole time.Meeting at 8.30am on Wednesday we set off from the National Trust campsite in Langdale to ascend by Stickle ghyll to the tarn and on to Pavey Ark, this is the big uphill of the day. The summits we then climbed are: Thurnacarr Knott; Esk Pike; Bowfell; Crinkle Crags; and Pike O' Blisco. 14 miles and around 1550 metres of ascent and descent over a wide variety of mountain terrain, including the notorious 'Bad step' on Crinkle crags! Descending from Pike O' Blisco there was some 'leg shake' evident from our tired muscles, but nothing stops these determined and super fit ladies. We had whizzed around this long route in 8 hours and I was definitely feeling pretty knackered by now and wandering how to recover quick enough for Helvellyn the following day!

Thankfully I wasn't the only one feeling some tiredness from the Langdale walk, so the pace was a little more gentle (only a little though)!A slightly later start and shorter walk was in store today, and again the weather was perfect. Upon arrival at Red Tarn we noticed a few tents and plenty of campers. Julia was even offered a cup of tea. The tarn was perfectly still, mirroring the Helvellyn headwall and adding to the drama & beauty of our surroundings. For all it would have been a cold night to camp high up, but the rewards would have been high.

Striding Edge soon focused our minds and concentration levels went up in line with the drop below. Myself and Barbara opting to stay on the crest the whole way, whilst the others occasionally used the small path to the right. The tricky down climb was passed with ease and all that was left was the final scramble up to the summit of Helvellyn. Lunch at the summit seemed a good plan, and whilst there we could enjoy a view of yesterdays route, not bad.We continued over Lower Man and White side, before descending to the valley to arrive back at the car in a little under 4 hours, nice one.

Really lovely to see you all again and to meet Vicky. So much fun and so many entertaining stories along the way. Thanks so much and hopefully see you again for more big walks next year.

Leaving home around lunchtime, we drive North along the shores of the Thirlmere reservoir, through the market town of Keswick before meandering through the heavily wooded valley of Borrowdale to arrive in the tiny hamlet of Stonethwaite.

It's already busy and parking is at a premium. Busy due to it being a fine and bright Sunday with autumnal colours to create a sublime landscape before us.

Does it matter that we arrive late? No, we aren't meeting anyone else, and besides, we wish to make the most of the afternoon sunshine at the West facing climbing venue we are heading for.

A walled track takes us easily into the Langstrath valley and soon we are following the bubbling river upstream, with flowing water the only sound bar the occasional Hardwick sheep. We cross the river and continue to Gash Rock - a huge boulder lying above the river, likely abandoned there by a retreating glacier many years previous, a stark testament to the immense force of nature.We break off the main track to follow a 'trod' (a small and indistinct path possibly made by sheep and occasional human traffic) uphill over bracken choked boggy terrain. Hearing voices we look up to see climbers playing their game on the steep rocks that lie above.

We arrive at the crag feeling hot and sweaty, out of breath after the steep walk over loose ground. Sitting down we are able to relax and drink in the splendid view afforded us as we look over Langstrath and to Cam Crag Ridge with its 'Hoof stones' (possibly sleeping areas in times gone by).After exchanging a few pleasantries with the other climbers, we ready ourselves for the vertical world. We already have a plan so sort the ropes out accordingly, tie in and set off.

It's good to be back on this beautiful rock, grippy like no other and with plentiful protection there's no need to feel scared, only excited. Unfortunately the upper reaches of our chosen route is very wet, so a change of course becomes necessary, out onto a delicious open slab, harder climbing, but dry.

This provides wonderfully exciting moves and we both thoroughly enjoy the route, absorbing as it is. A long abseil then allows us a speedy retreat back to the base of the crag and some waiting lunch.Once recharged we set off up the slab to climb another stunning route, every move feels brilliant and for a while we wish it won't end.After this second long route our muscles ache and the afternoon draws ever later. We decide to make our way back down the steep hillside to Gash Rock and downstream by the river back to Stonethwaite, but taking time to absorb the atmosphere, appreciate the silence, and marvel at the autumnal colours shading the hillside.

As we near Stonethwaite, we are privileged enough to spot a Red Squirrel running up a tree by the track. We stop in our tracks to observe and it freezes to pay us the compliment of observing us back! We continue along the track so as not to disturb it further, both feeling lucky to have been so close to nature.

Today we went rock climbing, but experienced so much more!

Today we explored a peaceful valley bursting with bright autumnal colours, we saw the farm dogs at work in the distance, witnessed the extreme forces of nature, enjoyed the babbling cascades of the river, laboured up a steep hillside, drank in the beauty of the landscape,enjoyed the thrill of the rock climbing and the pleasant sensation of tired muscles afterwards.​Today we experienced a mountain journey!

The amazing weather stayed with us here in the Lake District for this weekends Yoga retreat with www.adventureyogi.com​I first met Michelle (founder of Adventure Yogi) whilst she was researching and developing her Lake District retreat weekends about a year ago. We enjoyed a fine walk together over Coniston Old Man.

We were delighted when Michelle got in touch again to ask us to arrange a guided walk for their first Lake District retreat this month.Much thought was put into the route, and Lingmoor was the mountain at the top of the list. This walk is on good paths, gives brilliant views of the Langdale Pikes, and enjoys easy walking through the Langdale valley on the return leg. It's a good route even when the weather isn't perfect as the summit is not too high at only 470 metres. We did have perfect weather though, yippee!!

This retreat, based at Yewfield, her Tarn Hows, was pretty much a full house. For anyone thinking of joining either of the Lake District dates for 2016 an early booking is recommended as these are likely to get snapped up quick.

On the Sunday, guests could choose to go horse riding, for a local walk, or simply relax at Yewfield. This of course is in addition to 2 classes of yoga each day.

Thanks to Michelle, Wenche, all the participants, and Si for helping out.

It's been another very busy few days here in the Lakes, and the weather has remained amazing throughout. Colours are now turning with autumn well and truly on the way. So the coming few weeks will be the perfect time to visit the area and enjoy the autumnal colours whilst they last.

We've been helping our friends at Highpoint Mountain Guides - guiding Geology students up Jacks Rake on Pavey Ark. This classic scramble is always memorable and can be enjoyed during most weather conditions.

We've been around the Elterwater circuit a couple of times too. Organising guided walks for Canadian couple Monty & Frith, and a couple from Devizes Gemma & Jonathan. This walk never fails to impress, with so many highlights along the way and something of interest around every corner.

The water in the gorges is still rather pleasant. We've been in the Langdale gorges a few times recently, and water levels have been low - moderate meaning all the big obstacles have been successfully tackled by our parties.

Not satisfied with only day work, I was also involved in a 3 Peaks challenge event (working on behalf of Advocate Events) on Scafell Pike. The moon was so bright that head torches were not needed even though we walked between the hours of 11pm and 4am!! I think this is a first for us.

Towards the end of the week it was back out on the rock for an indoor to outdoor climbing transition course with Tom, Alice, and Jack from London. We did this at Church crag in St. John's in the Vale. Catching all the morning sun, this proved a perfect venue for our early session. Views to Blencathra are unsurpassed too.

Then it was onto a Navigation skills course for Renata & Anna. We based this above the village of Elterwater and covered skills ranging from basic map reading, to walking on bearings, pacing, back bearings, and re-location techniques. A full day with loads covered.

Despite being really busy, there's still been time to get out climbing with friends, with visits to Sergeant Crag Slabs in Langstrath, Raven crag in Langdale, and Black crag in Borrowdale for an ascent of the classic Troutdale Pinnacle.